Colby Fire FAQ

Information & Alerts

How will I get official information?

Receiving information from the City of Glendora, especially the Glendora Police Department is critical in the coming months and years. Forest Service and Los Angeles County Flood Control say the risk of severe debris flows and flooding is present for at least the next 3-years. Police strongly urge residents in the Colby Fire Impact Area to sign up their cell phones, email accounts and land line numbers with Nixle 360. You can go to the www.cityofglendora.org/colbyfire and follow the very simple procedures.

We have also set up a page dedicated to the Colby Fire Impact Area at www.cityofglendora.org/colbyfire. You should bookmark this address on your mobile devices and computer for easy access. This page has public safety information and links to helpful information for those in the Impact Area which may be useful.

We will also make use of Channel 3, the Glendora Report and do periodic direct mail to those in the Impact Area to help get information. If you have questions you can send an email to: colbyfire@ci.glendora.ca.us.

Who issues the various four-color alert system (Green, Yellow, Orange & Red)?

The activation of any color alert is the work of a Unified Command made up of representatives from various agencies. They will meet on an as-needed basis to exchange information and hear news from the Weather Service and Flood Control personnel about pending storms and basin readiness. Their discussions and various other factors will determine which alert color should be established.

Movement between the four-color alert system is often very fluid depending on the information obtained by these agencies. Their single goal is to protect life and property. It is critical that residents stay informed and follow instructions under the four-color alert system.

Why do I have to evacuate every time it rains?

Actually, evacuation orders are not issued every time it rains. Unified Command analyzes each incident separately and the risk factors to determine if an evacuation order is required.

How do I know an evacuation order has been issued?

Numerous communication tools and systems are used to alert residents in the impacted area. These include reverse emergency 911 calls on your land line phone with a pre-recorded message. If you sign up your cell phone and/or email, a text message will be issued via the Glendora Nixle 360 system.

If time permits, law enforcement personnel may attempt to go to each affected home and notify occupants in the event that evacuations are being ordered. Public Safety personnel urge residents to stay in tune to information on www.cityofglendora.org/colbyfire and to monitor messages from GPD Nixle 360 as the emergency can evolve rapidly, and law enforcement personnel have many critical tasks to perform in a very short period of time.

How long do the evacuation orders last?

The duration of evacuation orders will vary given the factors that first responders will be responding under. It is the goal of the Unified Command to allow residents to return to their homes as soon as possible, as long as it is safe and does not impair responders who are trying their best to protect lives and property in the impact area. City officials understand there is significant inconvenience caused by the evacuation orders, however our single purpose is to protect lives and property, and following these requests is critical to protecting your loved ones and property.

Where do I evacuate?

We have established the primary evacuation center at the Crowther Teen & Family Center at 241 W. Dawson Avenue as the evacuation center (click for map). You may have family or friends you wish to stay with and are not obligated to use the city’s evacuation center.

Can I have pets at the Evacuation Center?

We understand the importance that our pets play in our lives. Our first recommendation is that residents make arrangements in advance to have their pets sheltered with friends, relatives or even at a local kennel outside the evacuation area. For those who have no alternative, pets with proper vaccination paperwork will be admitted into the evacuation center. You will have to bring all supplies, medication and a cage for your pet. We will work with The Inland Valley Humane Society to assist with sheltering pets during these times as well.

What if I or my neighbors have physical limitations that make leaving difficult?

The Police want to know of any resident in the Colby Fire Impact Area who are unable to leave their home without assistance. We will undertake special evacuation procedures for those individuals. Call (626) 852-4814 to tell the Glendora Community Services Department that you or a neighbor may have special physical needs – that information can also be emailed to colbyfire@ci.glendora.ca.us . Community Services will make arrangements to visit the individual to assess their needs in the event of an evacuation.

How can I obtain proof of evacuation orders for my insurance company?

Contact the Glendora Police Department; they will provide you with appropriate documentation.

How can I get emergency alerts relating to possible flood/debris flows?

We are strongly urging all individuals who my live or work in the Colby Fire Impact Area to sign up for Nixle360. This is an alert system that the Glendora Police Department will use to convey information about pending storm warnings and evacuation status. You can register your land phone, cell phones and email addresses. Please understand that weather forecasts are not absolute predictions of rain due to the foothills and other meteorological conditions in and around the Glendora area, so you still need to monitor your surroundings. Flooding/debris flows happen very quickly and public safety personnel may not have time to physically alert you to evacuation orders, signing up for Nixle alerts will afford you that additional time to get yourself and loved ones to safety.

If you have questions about Nixle or need assistance in signing up, you can call (626) 914-8250.

Parking & Access Restrictions

Why can’t I park my vehicle on the street during rain storms under the Yellow, Orange or Red alerts?

No parking during orange or red alerts will be in effect on any street within the Colby Fire Impact Area. Vehicles are easily swept downhill by debris and mudflows, cause significant threat to property and lives, restrict access by first responders and prevent heavy equipment from clearing the streets during and after rain events.

Law enforcement agencies are authorized to tow vehicles found to be parked on City streets with the Colby Fire Impact Area under yellow, orange or red alerts. While it is not our goal to tow cars, police will determine if the vehicles are impeding first responders, is a threat to life or property and/or impeding mitigation measures meant to protect property.

Can I go back to my home to retrieve items I may have forgotten?

Under Orange and Red alerts there will be either limited access or no access permitted so that first responders will not be impeded in their critical tasks. In early stages of Orange, only residents with proof of residency and their authorized relatives/contractors/assistance workers will be permitted to enter. That restriction will become tighter as conditions dictate according to law enforcement officials. When a Red alert has been issued, there will be no access back into the Impact area by non-emergency or residents until the all clear has been given by the law enforcement personnel.

While every effort will be made to limit the inconveniences caused by the various alerts, they are in place so that public safety responders can protect lives and property to the best of their ability. It is important for residents to have their important documents either stored in the highest point in the home; offsite or be able to quickly take with them. Residents are strongly encouraged to view the LA County Fire Department link to Ready! Set! Go!

Mitigation Measures

Will the City assist me in protecting my home from flood/debris flow?

Generally, by law, government entities are limited in what they can do on private property. We can provide advice on public safety issues, inspect for compliance, and in very limited situations provide grant/loan money for a property owner to undertake some action if it can be determined to benefit the “general public”.

With our advice or that of a licensed engineer, residents can consider sandbags, installing diversion structures and other structure protection devices. Remember, you cannot divert water or debris from your property into another property under State law. You also cannot undertake work on another person’s property without their permission or consent.

We will be providing sandbags and sand for property owners to access. We can either offer guidance on where to place the sandbags, or you can ask a licensed civil engineer to do so. If you wish to arrange for an inspection or visit by a city engineer, please call (626) 914-8246 or you can email requests and questions to colbyfire@ci.glendora.ca.us

You can go to City Yard on Loraine Ave. just north of the railroad tracks, Monday through Friday from 7:00 am to 4:00 pm to get sandbags and sand (during large rain events the hours are typically extended). We may already have sand bags that are filled; if not personnel there will show you how to properly fill them. You must be a Glendora Resident with proper I.D. After hours, a limited supply of sandbags and sand are available outside the gate at the entrance to the Street Yard off the alley on Loraine just north of the railroad tracks.

We may need help, who can I notify?

Call (626) 914-8201 during business hours or Glendora Police Department after hours at (626) 914-8250 or email colbyfire@ci.glendora.ca.us and that information will be forwarded to the appropriate department. A City representative will be happy to discuss how we or others may assist you.

What if I see something that I believe the Glendora Police should know?

If it is an emergency – immediate danger to persons or property – call 911. If it is not an emergency, call the Glendora Police Dispatch Center at (626) 914-8250. They will dispatch personnel as soon as a unit is free of any emergency calls.

Why are the K-rails being used and when will they be removed?

The concrete structures that are commonly used around construction on freeways or other busy streets to protect workers and property have been placed in strategic areas to help keep flooding/debris flows away from property and direct it to a safer drainage point. This is a key part in our preparedness effort.

According to federal and local experts the recovery for the vegetation will likely be 5 years. As a result, we are at high risk for flooding/debris flows from the foothills for the next 3 years according to those same officials. These k-rails will be in place as long as our community remains in the high risk period so that we can best fulfill our single goal of protecting life and property.

We understand that they are not aesthetically appealing and we will work to keep them free of graffiti and other markings during the time they are being used. If you notice graffiti or other markings on them, please call (626) 914-8246 or email colbyfire@ci.glendora.ca.us

My home was damaged or lost; what do I need to rebuild?

We are sorry that you have experienced such loss. We want to assure you that we will work to expedite your permitting process. It is important to note that you may be subject to different building codes by the State. Building codes are updated every few years by the State based on standards that have been tested to improve safety and protection. Many of the experiences from disasters like the Colby Fire are included in the process of changing and modifying codes so that structures and occupants are better protected at any given time.

Under current codes almost any work on a structure or piece of property requires a permit. The permit process allows the local agency to determine if the plans meet the State’s standards and whether the work being done in the field is following the approved plans. It is important that all work is done by a licensed professional, otherwise the work being done has a high chance of not meeting standards and thus will not be accepted. We do not want you to become a victim again.

We offer the opportunity to meet with you and/or your representatives to help explain the process and follow through that will be needed. We understand that your home is very special to you and your family; we want it to be safe, meeting all regulations so that you can move back to normalcy as quickly as possible. You can call the Glendora Building Division at (626) 914-8222 or email colbyfire@ci.glendora.ca.us to ask for an appointment in person.

Do not let people into your home that report to be soliciting business. You should only allow people that you have called to look at the situation.

Do not give money in advance of a project being started. A reputable contractor should not need money up front. In no case should you be asked to front more than 10% of the contract. Contractors will ask for money along the way, but it is usually after they have accomplished certain stages of work.

A licensed contractor will have insurance and bonds to protect you in the event of an accident or inability to complete the project.

Obtain reference checks on anyone you hire – we recommend at least three references.

If a contractor says they can do the work without permit, do not let them. You could be fined the work disallowed and have to pay substantially more in order to fix it to code standards.

The City passed an Urgency Ordinance relating to Landscaping, what does that require?

With every major incident, we learn what can be improved to mitigate the risk in the future. Fire officials have indicated that many species of vegetation on property actually help accelerate the fire. These plants have oils and other contributing factors that can assist wildland fires. In addition, the after effect of the fire has increased the risk that mud and debris flows can occur due to severely damaged soil. To protect against accidental landscape restoration that could further erode hillsides, the city is reviewing all landscaping projects of greater than 1,000 square feet in high and very high Fire Hazard Severity Zones.

We are using guidelines from the Forest Service, County Forestry Division and County Fire that should help property owners affected to comply with this new requirement. In order to protect your property and investment, we urge you to work with a licensed landscape architect, who should be familiar with the guidelines used throughout the State of California and Los Angeles County. A city brochure on landscaping is available at either the Planning or Community Services Departments.

Miscellaneous Questions

Where can I find information on the topics listed above?

The City of Glendora has developed a Colby Fire webpage that has many direct links to sources by federal, state and county agencies with detailed information on issues relating to how to be prepared, making your property safe from fire and erosion to federal flood insurance programs. The links will be updated periodically as we identify helpful resources. Visit www.cityofglendora.org/colbyfire.

If I have a question who can I ask?

If you have any questions concerning the Colby Fire restoration/preparedness, you are invited to call (626) 914-8201 or email colbyfire@ci.glendora.ca.us​